Mustachian People Problems (just for fun)

[mspym]

Sounds like it’s time for some Carhartts!

Those would be more durable, but much more expensive than thrift store jeans, even relative to the amount of wear they could take, depending on conditions.

Sounds like it's time for thrift-store Carhartts!

[Metalcat]

Sounds like it’s time for some Carhartts!

Those would be more durable, but much more expensive than thrift store jeans, even relative to the amount of wear they could take, depending on conditions.

Sounds like it's time for thrift-store Carhartts!

Don't people keep their Carhartts literally forever though?? That would be like trying to find professional grade work boots at a thrift shop. You might. I guess it would depend where you live.

[LennStar]

And here is me, the clueless German, wondering if that has something to do with having a heart for cars.

It's a brand for not-quite-work clothing?

[ChpBstrd]

And here is me, the clueless German, wondering if that has something to do with having a heart for cars.

It's a brand for not-quite-work clothing?

Now available in German! https://www.carhartt.com/de/de-de

[GuitarStv]

Carhartt makes some of the hardest wearing clothing I've run across.  I have a pair of their double front jeans that are pushing 12 years of heavy use now and still holding up great.  It's very hard to find long lasting clothing and Carhartt's can be expensive but I think they might actually be worth it.

[Metalcat]

Carhartt makes some of the hardest wearing clothing I've run across.  I have a pair of their double front jeans that are pushing 12 years of heavy use now and still holding up great.  It's very hard to find long lasting clothing and Carhartt's can be expensive but I think they might actually be worth it.

It really depends on what you mean by "worth it" though.

The double fronts here cost over $100 while a used pair of thick jeans from Value Village costs about $10-15.

If replacing pants is a huge hassle, then sure, factor that value in. But IMO, the biggest value benefit for double front work pants is the safety element. It's kind of like how you wouldn't wear a pair of thrift store leather boots while doing a task that requires steel toes.

But if thigh wounds aren't too much of a concern, then there goes a lot of the premium value of double front pants. Especially since as pants, they aren't indestructible. Depending on your build, they can be just as vulnerable to crotch splitting as any other thick pants.

Some men have crotch splitting issues and others don't, it's really a physique thing. Thicker thighed men who crouch a lot go through a lot of crotch seams.

[ChpBstrd]

Carhartt makes some of the hardest wearing clothing I've run across.  I have a pair of their double front jeans that are pushing 12 years of heavy use now and still holding up great.  It's very hard to find long lasting clothing and Carhartt's can be expensive but I think they might actually be worth it.

It really depends on what you mean by "worth it" though.

The double fronts here cost over $100 while a used pair of thick jeans from Value Village costs about $10-15.

If replacing pants is a huge hassle, then sure, factor that value in. But IMO, the biggest value benefit for double front work pants is the safety element. It's kind of like how you wouldn't wear a pair of thrift store leather boots while doing a task that requires steel toes.

But if thigh wounds aren't too much of a concern, then there goes a lot of the premium value of double front pants. Especially since as pants, they aren't indestructible. Depending on your build, they can be just as vulnerable to crotch splitting as any other thick pants.

Some men have crotch splitting issues and others don't, it's really a physique thing. Thicker thighed men who crouch a lot go through a lot of crotch seams.

Another element of my life has been explained.

[GuitarStv]

I got 'em on sale for 30$.  If you're not in a hurry and don't mind waiting for sales, you can pick them up cheap once or twice during the year usually.  And while I'm thicker thighed the baggier fit of the jeans helps somewhat with exploding crotches (a problem that I've had with tighter fitting Levis in the past).

[Metalcat]

I got 'em on sale for 30$.  If you're not in a hurry and don't mind waiting for sales, you can pick them up cheap once or twice during the year usually.  And while I'm thicker thighed the baggier fit of the jeans helps somewhat with exploding crotches (a problem that I've had with tighter fitting Levis in the past).

Nice, that's great value. I'm mostly aware of Carhartt in Newfoundland where nothing of value ever goes on sale, so I just conceptualize them as expensive and necessary for some tradesfolk.

[tygertygertyger]

Some men have crotch splitting issues and others don't, it's really a physique thing. Thicker thighed men who crouch a lot go through a lot of crotch seams.

Yes I will be repairing a pair of these today for my partner. I've started to wonder if it would make better sense to reinforce them immediately upon purchase rather than wait until they start to show wear... but I'm extremely unlikely to do unnecessary work.

[LennStar]

Thicker thighed men who crouch a lot go through a lot of crotch seams.

I don't consider myselv thickly thighed and I certainly avoid crouching whenever possible, but even so 90% of my pants split up in the dark middle because of friction induced substance loss.

And shoes and pants are such a nightmare to get for me! And that is before the fact I hate "shopping".

If you could give me pants that fit good and are guaranteed to survive until my death: Here are my 1000€!

[GuitarStv]

And shoes and pants are such a nightmare to get for me! And that is before the fact I hate "shopping".

Yes!  Shopping sucks so much that when I find something that lasts a while I'm happy to pay extra just to not have to do shopping again for a longer while.

[ixtap]

And shoes and pants are such a nightmare to get for me! And that is before the fact I hate "shopping".

Yes!  Shopping sucks so much that when I find something that lasts a while I'm happy to pay extra just to not have to do shopping again for a longer while.

I had near perfect.shoes that were consistently available at Marshalls for a few rounds. Then, I found my perfect shoes. I stocked up five pairs of them and was able to go just shy of five years without worrying about shoes. I cannot find another shoe I am willing to stock up on. At most, I tolerate them until they fall apart and start looking again. I even contacted the manufacturer, in case they had a hidden stockpile or were willing to revert to that style.

[Metalcat]

And shoes and pants are such a nightmare to get for me! And that is before the fact I hate "shopping".

Yes!  Shopping sucks so much that when I find something that lasts a while I'm happy to pay extra just to not have to do shopping again for a longer while.

Note that I already stipulated to this exact value in my previous reply.

However, also note that pp mentioned that his wife picked up jeans for him. So if someone has a wife who enjoys shopping and jeans just kind of magically show up when needed, that removes a lot of the longevity value.

[NorthernIkigai]

A few years ago, I bought a couple of pairs of Darn Tough socks for about 30 € per pair to test, one pair each for me and my spouse. They have a lifetime guarantee, but both had holes in them after a couple of years of very reasonable (maybe 1/14 days) wear. I ended up wearing both pairs, as spouse found theirs a bit too tight. So I brought them back to the shop, where the salesperson said “yeah, nothing lasts forever”, and just told me to go pick replacement socks from the shop floor. The new ones, which are the same ones as the old ones, magically fit spouse better though.

I’ve had similar experiences with sheets with a 50-year guarantee. I’m not sure the hassle of going to swap them for new ones is worth the high price, getting brand new ones, and still using up resources instead of actually using the product for 50 years or a lifetime (whichever comes first).

[Metalcat]

A few years ago, I bought a couple of pairs of Darn Tough socks for about 30 € per pair to test, one pair each for me and my spouse. They have a lifetime guarantee, but both had holes in them after a couple of years of very reasonable (maybe 1/14 days) wear. I ended up wearing both pairs, as spouse found theirs a bit too tight. So I brought them back to the shop, where the salesperson said “yeah, nothing lasts forever”, and just told me to go pick replacement socks from the shop floor. The new ones, which are the same ones as the old ones, magically fit spouse better though.

I’ve had similar experiences with sheets with a 50-year guarantee. I’m not sure the hassle of going to swap them for new ones is worth the high price, getting brand new ones, and still using up resources instead of actually using the product for 50 years or a lifetime (whichever comes first).

I destroyed a dozen pairs of "lifetime" guarantee socks when I was on crutches for half of last year. Turns out that putting an enormous amount of weight on one foot and doing a lot of sharp pivots on the ball of that foot just destroys socks.

[ixtap]

A few years ago, I bought a couple of pairs of Darn Tough socks for about 30 € per pair to test, one pair each for me and my spouse. They have a lifetime guarantee, but both had holes in them after a couple of years of very reasonable (maybe 1/14 days) wear. I ended up wearing both pairs, as spouse found theirs a bit too tight. So I brought them back to the shop, where the salesperson said “yeah, nothing lasts forever”, and just told me to go pick replacement socks from the shop floor. The new ones, which are the same ones as the old ones, magically fit spouse better though.

I’ve had similar experiences with sheets with a 50-year guarantee. I’m not sure the hassle of going to swap them for new ones is worth the high price, getting brand new ones, and still using up resources instead of actually using the product for 50 years or a lifetime (whichever comes first).

My in laws have a lifetime drive train warranty. The nearest dealer is over an hour away from them and they have to leave it for a week or two at a time. They seem to get all repairs done at a dealer and have kept meticulous records for over 15 years in order to prove they have complied with the terms of the warranty. It seems like far more hassle than just replacing the vehicle. And I say that as someone who has vehicle of a similar age but I have needed far fewer repairs, none of which would have been covered as drive train.

[ChpBstrd]

I got 'em on sale for 30$.  If you're not in a hurry and don't mind waiting for sales, you can pick them up cheap once or twice during the year usually.  And while I'm thicker thighed the baggier fit of the jeans helps somewhat with exploding crotches (a problem that I've had with tighter fitting Levis in the past).

Nice, that's great value. I'm mostly aware of Carhartt in Newfoundland where nothing of value ever goes on sale, so I just conceptualize them as expensive and necessary for some tradesfolk.

Check eBay. Lots of Carhartt stuff in the $30 range. And if it doesn't fit just right... it's not supposed to.

[mspym]

Sounds like it’s time for some Carhartts!

Those would be more durable, but much more expensive than thrift store jeans, even relative to the amount of wear they could take, depending on conditions.

Sounds like it's time for thrift-store Carhartts!

Don't people keep their Carhartts literally forever though?? That would be like trying to find professional grade work boots at a thrift shop. You might. I guess it would depend where you live.

Yeah, my professional-grade workboots were $20 at the local Red Cross op shop. There tends to be a ton of workwork flowing in and out of the op shop where I volunteer, plus our small rural town has *the* Carhartt store for the country, so my experiences may not be typical.

My MPP is having to resist the temptation to buy truly fantastic stuff for very little money from the op shop where I work... because I have already got a life full of truly fantastic stuff. There's not much remaining that needs an upgrade or a back-up. But but but some of this stuff is So Good.

[Loren Ver]

Sounds like it’s time for some Carhartts!

Those would be more durable, but much more expensive than thrift store jeans, even relative to the amount of wear they could take, depending on conditions.

Sounds like it's time for thrift-store Carhartts!

We are in the process of running the experiment now.  DH doesn't have luck finding thrift store jeans but would be the ~$20 target jeans that last about a year to go through their life cycle.

 The carhartts we got were about $120 IIRC (it's all written down but I am too lazy to go get the actual numbers so this is just a thought experiment for you all).  So if they last 6 years we break even, longer then it's better.  With the added benefits of:  not land filling a pair every year (even after it goes through the rag bin; we don't have to patch them to get through that year; they do have better pockets; they are better protectors since DH does use them for welding they aren't just cheap denim; they get the title of "work pants" so serious business gets done in them (mind set matters especially when retired).

So not exactly an apples to apples comparison of products but more an pear to pear comparison of usage of money. 

My MPP - This is how I am spending my time, doing experiments on pants for DH. Not an issue you say?  Yeah, until you notice, there is NO CONTROL GROUP!  Terrible, terrible experimental design.  This will be anecdotal at best.

Loren

[Metalcat]

For sure, new expensive Carhartts are superior to new cheap jeans.

[sayonara]

The other day at the thrift store, there were 3 pairs of Carhartt pants in my size that were in pretty great shape. $10 each. I took a stroll around as I was considering whether I wanted to spend the $10... just to see some other guy swoop in and grab all 3 pairs right as I had decided I wanted them. He was so giddy when he was in front of me in line that he unknowingly rubbed it in by talking about how sweet of a deal he just scored, with a little dance to go with it.

[jfer_rose]

I'm over here scratching my head re: the Carhartts. My partner bought a pair sometime post 2020 but they only lasted a year before he wore them out completely. They actually wore out more quickly than other pants he buys at garage sales, or just picked up from the curb (we live in a college town and frequently get fantastic curb finds when students move out). I'm not sure if they sell different models of pants and his was less durable. But our theory is that the pair he got was done in by bicycling. When bicycling for recreation he will wear bike shorts, but when bicycling for transportation he'll wear regular clothes and this pair wore out in the bicycling pressure point places.

[Metalcat]

I'm over here scratching my head re: the Carhartts. My partner bought a pair sometime post 2020 but they only lasted a year before he wore them out completely. They actually wore out more quickly than other pants he buys at garage sales, or just picked up from the curb (we live in a college town and frequently get fantastic curb finds when students move out). I'm not sure if they sell different models of pants and his was less durable. But our theory is that the pair he got was done in by bicycling. When bicycling for recreation he will wear bike shorts, but when bicycling for transportation he'll wear regular clothes and this pair wore out in the bicycling pressure point places.

Yeah, they have many styles, some are more like basic Dickies.

[Sandi_k]

For sure, new expensive Carhartts are superior to new cheap jeans.

Hmm. I buy them as DH's work pants - $60 via Amazon:

Carhartt Men's Loose Fit Firm Duck Double-Front Utility Work Pant

And they last for 6 years, for someone who is ROUGH on his work clothes. Much better quality than the cheap jeans, and not $120. At $60, and lasting for 6+ years, that's $10 per year. Totally worth it.

[eyesonthehorizon]

I’d heard from several people their quality had taken a dive, if people are still having good results out of them that’s good to know. But it might explain the uneven results.

[Alternatepriorities]

Sounds like it’s time for some Carhartts!

Those would be more durable, but much more expensive than thrift store jeans, even relative to the amount of wear they could take, depending on conditions.

Sounds like it's time for thrift-store Carhartts!

Don't people keep their Carhartts literally forever though?? That would be like trying to find professional grade work boots at a thrift shop. You might. I guess it would depend where you live.

They seem to do that up here. I'm sure if there are ever any given to the thrift store they go fast and I visit rarely. My father used to wear their insulated stuff in the winter because it was both warm and relatively durable. When he passed away there was only one pair of winter overalls that was fit to be passed on. I am an inch taller and 50 lbs heavier than he was so it went to someone else. In the past I've found Carhartts to be nearly indestructible and too heavy/warm for summer/indoor use. I don't think I've tried work pants from them though maybe I will sometime. DW found me a set of jeans that are the same brown color as generic Carhartts at the thrift store for $8.99. They were so nice I wore them to church Sunday before moving them to shop duty on Monday... They should last for at least a year and DW said there was another pair of the same pants at the thrift store so I might buy them too.

[Alternatepriorities]

For sure, new expensive Carhartts are superior to new cheap jeans.

Hmm. I buy them as DH's work pants - $60 via Amazon:

Carhartt Men's Loose Fit Firm Duck Double-Front Utility Work Pant

And they last for 6 years, for someone who is ROUGH on his work clothes. Much better quality than the cheap jeans, and not $120. At $60, and lasting for 6+ years, that's $10 per year. Totally worth it.

This does sound intriguing.

[never give up]

I had a Mustachian People Problem today, or at least a Mustachian People Incident. I had both my bicycle and my car serviced this week and the bike service was more expensive! This is completely logical because my bicycle does about three times the mileage the car does, and I had a host of consumables to replace.

I service the bike myself two out of three years but like to get a pro to look at it every third year and make sure everything is completely safe. It's quite odd looking at both bills and knowing all that can go wrong with a car, yet the bill is considerably less than that of the bike.

Hurrah for cycling, Mustachianism, low mileage driving and new chains and brake rotors!

[crocheted_stache]

I have a new MPP as of lunchtime today.

My work used to have an on-site cafeteria. At one point, I'm told, the lunches were paid for by the company, but as the company grew, the company went from paying for lunches to subsidizing part of the cost. Then COVID happened and everyone went home, whereupon the cafeteria closed. Some people decided they like working from home, and not everyone who came back is in every day, so the cafeteria is now a room with tables and chairs, and there's a lunch delivery service, which is still subsidized.

I ate lunch today with a different set of colleagues than usual, all relatively recent grads and young men who don't cook a whole bunch. I get the impression talking to them that they're capable of cooking, but it's tough to cook for just yourself, so they were comparing notes on the various options.

The lunch subsidy isn't a percentage. It's a fixed dollar amount per day. So one of the young guys figured out that anything under that amount is free. It's not really enough for an entree or even a sandwich, but it is enough for a side, a salad, or a dessert.

My MPPs:
1. I'm kicking myself for not identifying this hack myself.*
2. Now I might have to sign up for the delivery service, after all, so I can go hunting for "free" soups, salads, and sides to try.

*Don't get me wrong; I'm pretty good at saving money on food. I'm a veteran at both bag lunches and making the most of provided food offerings. I once combined sour cream and grated cheese left from a taco-based event with a bunch of veggies I rescued from an unpopular (or at least far larger than necessary) crudité tray after a different event to make a broccoli cheese soup at home.

[glacio09]

I have a new MPP as of lunchtime today.

My work used to have an on-site cafeteria. At one point, I'm told, the lunches were paid for by the company, but as the company grew, the company went from paying for lunches to subsidizing part of the cost. Then COVID happened and everyone went home, whereupon the cafeteria closed. Some people decided they like working from home, and not everyone who came back is in every day, so the cafeteria is now a room with tables and chairs, and there's a lunch delivery service, which is still subsidized.

I ate lunch today with a different set of colleagues than usual, all relatively recent grads and young men who don't cook a whole bunch. I get the impression talking to them that they're capable of cooking, but it's tough to cook for just yourself, so they were comparing notes on the various options.

The lunch subsidy isn't a percentage. It's a fixed dollar amount per day. So one of the young guys figured out that anything under that amount is free. It's not really enough for an entree or even a sandwich, but it is enough for a side, a salad, or a dessert.

My MPPs:
1. I'm kicking myself for not identifying this hack myself.*
2. Now I might have to sign up for the delivery service, after all, so I can go hunting for "free" soups, salads, and sides to try.

*Don't get me wrong; I'm pretty good at saving money on food. I'm a veteran at both bag lunches and making the most of provided food offerings. I once combined sour cream and grated cheese left from a taco-based event with a bunch of veggies I rescued from an unpopular (or at least far larger than necessary) crudité tray after a different event to make a broccoli cheese soup at home.

Oh work cafeteria shenanigans. My company acquired a department of another huge company. When we visited, they had a highly subsidized cafeteria that was rather nice (the office was in an industrial complex so no other choices). My new co-workers complained about it, because apparently for years it had been completely free but there was too much drama and they started charging people. Once a month they'd have a meeting that turned into an airing of grievances. My favorite example was a list of dates when they'd have two cream-based soups instead of one cream and one broth. It was literally an example of biting the hand that feeds you.

[Sugaree]

I have a new MPP as of lunchtime today.

My work used to have an on-site cafeteria. At one point, I'm told, the lunches were paid for by the company, but as the company grew, the company went from paying for lunches to subsidizing part of the cost. Then COVID happened and everyone went home, whereupon the cafeteria closed. Some people decided they like working from home, and not everyone who came back is in every day, so the cafeteria is now a room with tables and chairs, and there's a lunch delivery service, which is still subsidized.

I ate lunch today with a different set of colleagues than usual, all relatively recent grads and young men who don't cook a whole bunch. I get the impression talking to them that they're capable of cooking, but it's tough to cook for just yourself, so they were comparing notes on the various options.

The lunch subsidy isn't a percentage. It's a fixed dollar amount per day. So one of the young guys figured out that anything under that amount is free. It's not really enough for an entree or even a sandwich, but it is enough for a side, a salad, or a dessert.

My MPPs:
1. I'm kicking myself for not identifying this hack myself.*
2. Now I might have to sign up for the delivery service, after all, so I can go hunting for "free" soups, salads, and sides to try.

*Don't get me wrong; I'm pretty good at saving money on food. I'm a veteran at both bag lunches and making the most of provided food offerings. I once combined sour cream and grated cheese left from a taco-based event with a bunch of veggies I rescued from an unpopular (or at least far larger than necessary) crudité tray after a different event to make a broccoli cheese soup at home.

A free salad plus a loaf of bread from the grocery store would end up making sanwiches for the week though....

[crocheted_stache]

I have a new MPP as of lunchtime today.

My work used to have an on-site cafeteria. At one point, I'm told, the lunches were paid for by the company, but as the company grew, the company went from paying for lunches to subsidizing part of the cost. Then COVID happened and everyone went home, whereupon the cafeteria closed. Some people decided they like working from home, and not everyone who came back is in every day, so the cafeteria is now a room with tables and chairs, and there's a lunch delivery service, which is still subsidized.

I ate lunch today with a different set of colleagues than usual, all relatively recent grads and young men who don't cook a whole bunch. I get the impression talking to them that they're capable of cooking, but it's tough to cook for just yourself, so they were comparing notes on the various options.

The lunch subsidy isn't a percentage. It's a fixed dollar amount per day. So one of the young guys figured out that anything under that amount is free. It's not really enough for an entree or even a sandwich, but it is enough for a side, a salad, or a dessert.

My MPPs:
1. I'm kicking myself for not identifying this hack myself.*
2. Now I might have to sign up for the delivery service, after all, so I can go hunting for "free" soups, salads, and sides to try.

*Don't get me wrong; I'm pretty good at saving money on food. I'm a veteran at both bag lunches and making the most of provided food offerings. I once combined sour cream and grated cheese left from a taco-based event with a bunch of veggies I rescued from an unpopular (or at least far larger than necessary) crudité tray after a different event to make a broccoli cheese soup at home.

A free salad plus a loaf of bread from the grocery store would end up making sanwiches for the week though....

I already eat pretty cheap for lunch, but this coworker inspired me to sign up for this program. The offered salads are all trying to be meals, with calories and prices to match. That leaves some of the soups, some of the sides/appetizers, and most of the desserts (which I don't exactly need more of).

The occasional discount on a purchased meal or side may make lunch logistics a little easier, even if I pay a few bucks for it. It happens now and then that we end up on the far end of the grocery shopping or cooking cycle or I get tired of sandwiches from home, and the restaurant options nearby are so-so. It often results in me taking the lone remaining portion of leftovers and DH going to the place across the way.

[Loren Ver]

I'm over here scratching my head re: the Carhartts. My partner bought a pair sometime post 2020 but they only lasted a year before he wore them out completely. They actually wore out more quickly than other pants he buys at garage sales, or just picked up from the curb (we live in a college town and frequently get fantastic curb finds when students move out). I'm not sure if they sell different models of pants and his was less durable. But our theory is that the pair he got was done in by bicycling. When bicycling for recreation he will wear bike shorts, but when bicycling for transportation he'll wear regular clothes and this pair wore out in the bicycling pressure point places.

There is a shift with more recent models where instead of being made out of, lets say canvas, they are adding in something like spandix, so it wears easier and looks nicer but doesn't last as long because it isn't canvas.  So you really need to make sure you are getting the version that is canvas or firehose (what we bought DH).  If it feel oh so comfy then it probably has the add ins that decrease the wear time.  I did some research before we picked DHs to make sure I had the ones that would last.  HOPEFULLY!!! they aren't being phased out entirely.  The ones with add ins were certainly the majority.

[ChpBstrd]

I received about $750 cash that I need to deposit (so that it can earn interest). My closest bank branch is 5 miles away, but the deal is they refund all ATM fees. So I thought I could just deposit it in a closer bank's ATM. Nope. Deposit was not an option on the screen. Now I have to drive or bike A WHOLE 5 MILES but I learned something about ATMs.

[Dicey]

I received about $750 cash that I need to deposit (so that it can earn interest). My closest bank branch is 5 miles away, but the deal is they refund all ATM fees. So I thought I could just deposit it in a closer bank's ATM. Nope. Deposit was not an option on the screen. Now I have to drive or bike A WHOLE 5 MILES but I learned something about ATMs.

OTOH, it's never a bad thing to have a small cache of cash on hand.

Back to the Carhardtt conversation. DH had a huge stash of painter's and carpenter's bibs on hand when he retired. Huge, as in 29 pair, all new and most still in package (NIP). He finally decided to keep two and sell the rest. A few were Dickies and the rest were Carhardtts. He listed them on ebay, where they gradually sold for very modest prices.

For regular  jeans, he prefers Kirkland. In winter, he lives in Weatherproof lined jeans, which I get at Costco if I'm lucky, or on ebay. They wear like iron.

[midweststache]

I received about $750 cash that I need to deposit (so that it can earn interest). My closest bank branch is 5 miles away, but the deal is they refund all ATM fees. So I thought I could just deposit it in a closer bank's ATM. Nope. Deposit was not an option on the screen. Now I have to drive or bike A WHOLE 5 MILES but I learned something about ATMs.

You also taught me something, because I had no idea I could deposit cash INTO an ATM - I thought it was only for withdraws. But lo and behold, I just checked and CapitalOne allows this at their ATMS. (We received a cash gift at Christmas but, as CO doesn't have a brick and mortar location anywhere near us, just assumed we'd have to slowly spend it down when we had the rare cash-only or cash-preferred situation.)

Thanks!

[Catbert]

I received about $750 cash that I need to deposit (so that it can earn interest). My closest bank branch is 5 miles away, but the deal is they refund all ATM fees. So I thought I could just deposit it in a closer bank's ATM. Nope. Deposit was not an option on the screen. Now I have to drive or bike A WHOLE 5 MILES but I learned something about ATMs.

My sister was once the Cookie Mom/Treasurer for her daughter's Girl Scout troop.  That was a lot of cash (before orders were online and credit cards).  She once filled an ATM deposit bin with one and five dollar bills.  She had to find another machine to finish the deposit.

You also taught me something, because I had no idea I could deposit cash INTO an ATM - I thought it was only for withdraws. But lo and behold, I just checked and CapitalOne allows this at their ATMS. (We received a cash gift at Christmas but, as CO doesn't have a brick and mortar location anywhere near us, just assumed we'd have to slowly spend it down when we had the rare cash-only or cash-preferred situation.)

Thanks!

[Metalcat]

Wait...is depositing cash into bank machines not something normally done in the US??

How were you folks depositing cash in the before-times when cash was so common?? Did you have to wait in lines for humans to count and deposit cash??

I'm so confused...

[Dollar Slice]

Wait...is depositing cash into bank machines not something normally done in the US??

I do it all the time, but I don't think most people need to deposit cash unless they own a business (in which case it's too much for an ATM) so they've never thought about it.

I constantly deposit smallish amounts because 1. my mother pays me back for things I buy/pay for as a convenience (e.g. picking things up at a fancy bakery in the city, buying concert tickets, etc.) 2. a friend of mine doesn't have a credit card and will pay me back for things I buy for him.

[Metalcat]

Wait...is depositing cash into bank machines not something normally done in the US??

I do it all the time, but I don't think most people need to deposit cash unless they own a business (in which case it's too much for an ATM) so they've never thought about it.

I constantly deposit smallish amounts because 1. my mother pays me back for things I buy/pay for as a convenience (e.g. picking things up at a fancy bakery in the city, buying concert tickets, etc.) 2. a friend of mine doesn't have a credit card and will pay me back for things I buy for him.

I guess?? I had a lot of small cash-paying jobs or tip-paying jobs in the 90s and was always depositing in machines, so this just feels like it's something that's been so normal for decades to me.

That said, I'm in Canada where there are only a handful of major banks, so if you're in an urban area, you're always near a bank machine for your own bank.

[Dollar Slice]

I guess?? I had a lot of small cash-paying jobs or tip-paying jobs in the 90s and was always depositing in machines, so this just feels like it's something that's been so normal for decades to me.

People just don't use cash that much in 2024. They're not usually paying restaurant bills in cash and tipping with bills and coins for waitstaff, either. At least not in the US.

[Metalcat]

I guess?? I had a lot of small cash-paying jobs or tip-paying jobs in the 90s and was always depositing in machines, so this just feels like it's something that's been so normal for decades to me.

People just don't use cash that much in 2024. They're not usually paying restaurant bills in cash and tipping with bills and coins for waitstaff, either. At least not in the US.

That's why I specifically asked about what people did in the past, when cash was more common, then I referenced the 90s.

If people are just finding out *now* that machines accept not just cheque deposits, but also cash deposits, what were they doing to deposit cash in previous decades when cash was more common??

Your previous reply seems to imply that people rarely deposited cash, which I guess could be true, maybe my experience of even needing to deposit cash was somehow rare??

I'm just kind of baffled.

[tygertygertyger]

My partner used to tutor, and got paid in cash. He’d let it accumulate for months and eventually go deposit gobs of cash with a real teller.

I used to use him as my personal atm when I needed cash and I’d transfer money to his account.

This was just a few years ago, pre-pandemic. I’ve never deposited cash via atm.

[Dave1442397]

I guess?? I had a lot of small cash-paying jobs or tip-paying jobs in the 90s and was always depositing in machines, so this just feels like it's something that's been so normal for decades to me.

People just don't use cash that much in 2024. They're not usually paying restaurant bills in cash and tipping with bills and coins for waitstaff, either. At least not in the US.

That's why I specifically asked about what people did in the past, when cash was more common, then I referenced the 90s.

If people are just finding out *now* that machines accept not just cheque deposits, but also cash deposits, what were they doing to deposit cash in previous decades when cash was more common??

Your previous reply seems to imply that people rarely deposited cash, which I guess could be true, maybe my experience of even needing to deposit cash was somehow rare??

I'm just kind of baffled.

In my 34 years banking in the US, I can only remember depositing cash a handful of times. The last time I did it, I remember being surprised that I didn't have to put it in a bank envelope with the amount written on it. These days you can just feed the cash in and it counts it for you.

It's rare for me to have more than $1,000 in cash at any time. I usually take out $800 at a time to save me going to the ATM more than once every six weeks or so. I rarely use cash anymore, but I keep $100 or so in my wallet just in case. The rest goes to my wife - she likes her weekly spending money in cash.

[jeroly]

I guess?? I had a lot of small cash-paying jobs or tip-paying jobs in the 90s and was always depositing in machines, so this just feels like it's something that's been so normal for decades to me.

People just don't use cash that much in 2024. They're not usually paying restaurant bills in cash and tipping with bills and coins for waitstaff, either. At least not in the US.

That's why I specifically asked about what people did in the past, when cash was more common, then I referenced the 90s.

If people are just finding out *now* that machines accept not just cheque deposits, but also cash deposits, what were they doing to deposit cash in previous decades when cash was more common??

Your previous reply seems to imply that people rarely deposited cash, which I guess could be true, maybe my experience of even needing to deposit cash was somehow rare??

I'm just kind of baffled.

In my 34 years banking in the US, I can only remember depositing cash a handful of times. The last time I did it, I remember being surprised that I didn't have to put it in a bank envelope with the amount written on it. These days you can just feed the cash in and it counts it for you.

It's rare for me to have more than $1,000 in cash at any time. I usually take out $800 at a time to save me going to the ATM more than once every six weeks or so. I rarely use cash anymore, but I keep $100 or so in my wallet just in case. The rest goes to my wife - she likes her weekly spending money in cash.

While most ATMs have allowed cash deposits since 'forever' (at least into the same bank's ATMs, not across the network into one for another bank), many or most people (including me) avoid this because you have little proof that you actually made the deposit - the money is slipped into an envelope on which you record the amount, and you have very little proof of your side of the transaction.  While it's true you have little proof that an ATM actually dispensed what you requested, limits on the amount you can withdraw also limit the risk - you could potentially deposit $5,000 and only get recorded for say $500, but you can't withdraw $5,000 (due to those limits) and only get $500.

[dividendman]

Hrm... Not sure which ATMs you are using but citi and wells Fargo they scan the bills (not in an envelope) and then ask if you confirm. If you don't it gives you back whatever you put in.

[Sibley]

I guess?? I had a lot of small cash-paying jobs or tip-paying jobs in the 90s and was always depositing in machines, so this just feels like it's something that's been so normal for decades to me.

People just don't use cash that much in 2024. They're not usually paying restaurant bills in cash and tipping with bills and coins for waitstaff, either. At least not in the US.

That's why I specifically asked about what people did in the past, when cash was more common, then I referenced the 90s.

If people are just finding out *now* that machines accept not just cheque deposits, but also cash deposits, what were they doing to deposit cash in previous decades when cash was more common??

Your previous reply seems to imply that people rarely deposited cash, which I guess could be true, maybe my experience of even needing to deposit cash was somehow rare??

I'm just kind of baffled.

I remember putting cash into the envelope and into the atm as a kid/teen, so 90s/2000s. It couldn't take coin of course. At some point it switched to no envelope needed, but even so there is still a variety of capabilities with atms today.

As for individuals not realizing this, I learned how to use an atm from watching my parents. Not everyone has that, nor does everyone's parents know how to use a atm fully.

[Metalcat]

I guess?? I had a lot of small cash-paying jobs or tip-paying jobs in the 90s and was always depositing in machines, so this just feels like it's something that's been so normal for decades to me.

People just don't use cash that much in 2024. They're not usually paying restaurant bills in cash and tipping with bills and coins for waitstaff, either. At least not in the US.

That's why I specifically asked about what people did in the past, when cash was more common, then I referenced the 90s.

If people are just finding out *now* that machines accept not just cheque deposits, but also cash deposits, what were they doing to deposit cash in previous decades when cash was more common??

Your previous reply seems to imply that people rarely deposited cash, which I guess could be true, maybe my experience of even needing to deposit cash was somehow rare??

I'm just kind of baffled.

I remember putting cash into the envelope and into the atm as a kid/teen, so 90s/2000s. It couldn't take coin of course. At some point it switched to no envelope needed, but even so there is still a variety of capabilities with atms today.

As for individuals not realizing this, I learned how to use an atm from watching my parents. Not everyone has that, nor does everyone's parents know how to use a atm fully.

I'm still trying to figure out if people just didn't deposit cash somehow, or if they lined up to have human beings count and deposit cash for them??

Because I'm 99.9% positive that I learned about depositing cash in machines from a teller who rolled her eyes at me and said "you know you can just use the machine to deposit this, right?"

[NotJen]

I'm still trying to figure out if people just didn't deposit cash somehow, or if they lined up to have human beings count and deposit cash for them??

Because I'm 99.9% positive that I learned about depositing cash in machines from a teller who rolled her eyes at me and said "you know you can just use the machine to deposit this, right?"

I deposited cash in an ATM a few times maybe 20 years ago, but overall, I've never had the need to deposit much cash.

Sure, in my childhood I would put babysitting money in savings at the bank in person, but I didn't have a checking account.  I haven't been paid in cash since then.

As an adult - no one gives me cash.  If they do, I just keep it and spend it.


I currently go to a teller and line up to take out cash, though.  My bank is walking distance and driving up to the ATM seems stupid (walking up to it seems stupider).  Plus, they give me a free coffee when I go in.  Win-win.